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Snapper

Sam of Graham NC (8/12/03):
Purchased Snapper riding mower for residential use at a cost of $2,225.99 in July 1999. Since then we have spent upwards of $300 to constantly and repeatedly replace the same parts: pulleys and belts leading from the motor to mowing deck. The mowing deck is not damaged or bent, in any way. The blades are kept sharp and have been replaced as needed. There are no rocks or other "mower-killers" in the yard. Just a lot of grass.

Latest example: The mower has just returned from the dealer ($99) with a new belt. It ran for half an hour continuously and the belt is severely cracked. The pulleys that the belt runs through are either new or healthy (per the dealer) and aligned. The dealer tells me that other people have the same problem with this model, and that I should take it up with Snapper, which I am doing to no avail.

The mower is essentially unusable; it runs for at most 1 hour before needing $20 to $100 dollars worth of service, which can only be performed twenty miles away.

John of Montverde FL (8/4/03):
I purchased Snapper's top-of-the-line 48-inch-cut lawn tractor in Sept 02. The plastic body had a crack in it when delivered to my house. The local dealer agreed to order and put on the new "hood" for no charge at my house which he did. That night the seat fell off two times while mowing for the first time.

The Snapper guy came out again to my house and relocated a cotter pin that had been assembled and placed in the wrong place under the seat by the assembler causing it to fall off. Approximately two months later I looked down at the deck while mowing and noticed one of my 4-anti scalp casters was totally missing. I found it in my yard sans the bearing and cotter pin that hold it in place. Another trip to the dealer and they gave me free a cotter pin and bearing.

Two months later the deck started shaking violently while mowing and the mower would not mulch the grass properly ... it would just throw huge clumps of grass out of the shoot -- even though it was cutting, it wasn't mulching at all. Upon inspection I found that another cotter pin had fallen out of a hanging assembly that holds the front part of the mowing deck onto the mowers chassis. The main drive belt was also missing a 1-inch chip out of it and slipping badly (worn) as a result of this recent problem.

I had to purchase a new drive belt as it is considered a "normal wear item" even though the mower is only 6 months old! They threw in the cotter pin that was missing. I hate this mower with a passion. I spent close to $3300 and feel that I could have spent much less and gotten a better mower.

Kendell of Texarkana TX (5/19/03):
I purchased a Snapper Mid Mount Z-Rider mower August 14, 2001. The problems began after only 157 hours of use. Keeping in mind, that the mower was not in use from November until February of 2002. The first problems were the front and rear deck drive bearings and shaft wore out. These had to be replaced at the dealership from which the mower was purchased.

At approximately 320 hours the front pivot arm broke on the front axle. When the front axle broke, it bent two pulleys on the deck and cut a belt, which had to be replaced. Please note that the front and rear drive bearings have been replaced three times. Also, the power transfer has been replaced three or four times due to U-joints going out. Both idler tension pulleys to the trans-axle pumps have been replaced. The plate on the bottom of the gearbox, which drives the blades, fell off and ruined the bearings and gearbox causing both to have to be replaced. The starter has had to be replaced. The tension idler spring on the deck has been replaced because it broke. The parking brake rod has broken and had to be replaced. The trans-axle pump had to be replaced due to bolts from bracket wearing out and causing a bad virbration in the mower. Since then, the machine does not travel straight. It has a tendency to pull to the left. If you have to get of the mower with it running, with the park brake set, the mower will turn in a continuous counter-clockwise rotation.

It is currently in the shop, since May 5, 2003, to correct this problem. However, as the mechanic was working on the mower, two transmission control rods broke and had to be ordered to complete most recent repairs. I feel that some of the repair work performed on this mower has not been claimed on warranty because the Snapper Rep. stated that he was only showing seven work orders for this machine. I feel that due to repeated malfunctions, the dealer has made some repairs because of repeat failures. The Snapper representative told me that the mower has a two-year commerical warranty from the date of purchase. The problems have compounded and been so constant that I am unable to list every time the mower has had to be in the shop. However, it is important to note that I have requested a copy of the repair list from both Snapper and the dealership and have not received it yet. I was told by the Snapper representative that he was unable to release that information. Dealer will also not release that information.

The mechanic working on my mower even half-jokingly stated when I took the mower in May 5 that I "had a lemon and should paint it yellow." This mower currently has between 750 and 800 hours on it. This is much less than one would expect because it is a commercial mower; however, because it is in the shop so much, I am unable to use it. This is a nearly $6000 mower. I expected to have better results for my money.

Due to the extensive amount of repairs on this Snapper mower, I am continually losing money in my business. I am unable to complete some yards or work at my usual speed due to lack of equipment. My work ethics have come under scrutiny because this mower continually breaks down and leaves me uanble to complete my work. This in turn produces unsatisfied customers which lessens my income.

A follow-up from Kendall: (5/26/03):
As was previously stated, the mower went to the shop 05/05/03 and was picked up on 05/20/03. When I picked up the mower, I serviced it by changing the oil and oil filter and greasing the machine thoroughly. I noticed at this time that the front and rear deck drive bearings and shaft are now worn out which will again cause yet another bad vibration. It was not used the day it was picked up; however, when I tried to use the mower Friday, May 23, 2003, the mower would not start because the battery was dead. I jump started the mower to begin my job.

About three quarters of the way through the job, the electric clutch that drives the deck kicked out due to the dead battery. I repeatedly tried to charge the battery but had no success as the internal battery charging system on the mower is not working properly. It looks like it will have to now spend another two weeks in the shop as the dealer never has parts on hand, and they must be ordered.

Jeff of St. Clair Shores, MI, writes:
I purchased a Snapper snow blower and have only been able to use it five times in two years due to a poor quality product. They say product is ok, but that it must be serviced EVERY year before use, at my expense. I say product is a lemon, and am requesting a full refund.

I paid $539.99 for snow blower, plus $65.00 repair bill last year, plus whatever it cost when it gets out of the repair shop this year, plus paying to have snow cleared due to inoperable snowblower.

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July 6 2008

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